Fireplace furnace



April 18, 1939. F D. HOWE FIREPLACE FURNAC".

Filed June 20, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN OR. }77 Wk FIG.

April 18, 1939. D4 HOWE 2,154,939

FIREPLACE FURNACE Filed June 20, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

FIE. El

April 18, 1939. D, HOWE 2,154,939

FIREPLACE FURNACE Filed June 20, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 15955 FIEJEFIE-l7 I N VENTOR.

rm/q my Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 7 Claims.

This invention relates to furnaces of the flreplace type whereby aunitary construction is obtained which can be shop erected and installedas a complete, independent unit and in which numerous changes ofexterior design can be easily made. It also includes features increasingefliciency and effectiveness.

Novel features are a framework to which the firebox is attached and bywhich it is supported and in which are provided recesses for decorativepanels forming part of the casing of the hot air circulating passage. Onthis framework, or on the firebox, is mounted a frame carryingtransparent material forming one wall of the firebox II and producing anopen fire effect with the efficiency of a closed furnace. Two frameworkscarrying the firebox between them will present two fireplace fronts inadjoining rooms.

The adjustable casing section for facilitating installation is also anovel feature.

In the drawings Fig. l is a front View of the framework with part of thecasing.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line AYB' in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the firebox.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show methods of attaching side casings.

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of front and side stack casings at frontcorners.

Figs. 7 and 8 show details of construction at hot air outlet.

Fig. 9 is a partial front view showing the 5 transparent panel anddecorative panels.

Fig. 10 is a section on line G-H in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a section on line J--K in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 shows the frame for transparent material with hinges.

40 Fig. 13 shows, in section, a duplex construction.

Fig. 14 is a plan view in section showing the firebox extending throughthe framework and the glass panel frame hinged to the firebox.

45 Figs. l5, l6 and 17 are perspective views showing some of the formswhich the exterior may be given.

The framework may take various forms to suit the general effect desired.A typical con- 50 struction, as shown, has end supports 2, 2, an uppercross member 3, a lower cross member 4, intermediate cross members 5 and6 and vertical members I, 7. These members may be structural steelshapes as shown and are preferably 65 electrically welded into a unitarysub-assembly.

To complete the framework rear corner angles 3, 8 extend to the fullheight of the casing and are connected to the front section by members9, 9 and l0, l0.

Members 9, 9 may be T sections having the 1 flange spaced apart from theconnected members leaving a space to receive the side sheets of thecasing. Angles H, H forming the front corners of the stack casing arepreferably bolted to members 9, 9 to permit variations in casing type.ml They may be omitted as in Fig. 17 where the sheets are bent at thecorners to form part of the front panel.

The back wall 38 of the casing may be attached to angles 8, 8 by roundhead rivets as -13 shown in Fig. 4 and the lower side sheet 32 flangedand perforated to register with the rivet heads when sprung over them tosecure the casing sheet E5. The side casing may be extended to meet theroom wall as in Figs. 5 and 11. The to stack casing front sheet 35 maybe flanged as in Fig. 6 making, with angles H, I! a socket'for stackside casing l2.

Figs. '7 and 8 show this construction continued by wing pieces l3. Splittube l4 slipped over the 26 top of front sheet l5 makes a finish andradius member. The rear casing sheet 38 is continued in a forward curveto the outlet. The highest part of the casing must be below the ceilingto permit the furnace to be tipped into place and 30 an adjustablesection I6 is used to close the gap.

The decorative panels can be given many forms. As shown in Figs. 9, 10and 11 shallow pans 35 fit loosely in the recesses of the framework andtiles are cemented into these pans. 85 An angle I! or a curved angle Itholds the upper edge of the panel and gravity and friction hold thelower edge permitting easy replacement. Other types of panel are shownin Figs. 14 and 1'7. 40

A gas burner 20 is indicated in Fig. 2 but the firebox 2| may be adaptedto burn any kind of fuel. It is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 13 havingflanges at the front by which it may be attached to the framework. Therear of the firebox is supported by fiat steel brackets 34 flexible in ahorizontal direction and rigid vertically which are flanged forattachment to the casing rear sheet. This takes care of differentialexpansion of firebox and casing.

The duplex fire construction of Fig. 13 has the firebox attached to theframework at two fronts. Fig. 14 shows the firebox projecting throughthe framework and having the glass door 36 hinged to the firebox.

The stack 22, preferably rectangular and welded gas tight, may have itsback wall curved forward at the top and projected beyond the front wallto join with the curved deflector 23 which extends the full width of theopening and is joined at its ends to the framework through wing piecesI3 thus establishing and maintaining the stack and framework in fixedunitary relation. The combination of curved surfaces guides the air to adownwardly directed outflow, avoiding blackening the ceiling andreducing stratification of air in the room.

Diagonal fins 24 guide the ascending air in a spiral and break upStratification. Inside the stack are baffles 25 flanged for stiffnessand spaced apart from the stack walls except at points of attachment.This construction induces turbulence and spreads the gas travel over theheating surface with no dead pockets or down currents.

A vent 26 is provided at any convenient point.

The transparent material, preferably pyrex or other heat proof glass, isbest applied in strips with light metal channels binding the edges tohold the pieces in case of breakage. The fire will not break it.

It is evident that my invention produces a fireplace which can beshipped assembled or knocked down in easily assembled units and upon theskeleton framework a variety of casings may be mounted and easilyinterchanged, meeting a wide range of customer demand.

I claim:

1. In a fireplace furnace, a unitary structure comprising a framework, acasing member attached to said framework, a firebox attached to saidframework and having supporting means upon said casing member, saidsupporting means being flexible horizontally and rigid vertically.

2. In a fireplace furnace, a firebox having a wall of transparentmaterial, a stack extension of said firebox, a framework supporting saidfirebox and stack extension and defining therewith an air circulatingpassage partly surrounding said firebox and completely surrounding saidstack and casing members applied to said framework to enclose said airpassage.

3. In a fireplace furnace, a firebox having a front enclosed bytransparent material, a stack extension of said firebox, a frameworksupporting said firebox and stack, and defining an air passage partlysurrounding said firebox and completely surrounding said stack, thefront part of that part of the framework and casing surrounding thestack being offset rearwardly from the front of the firebox.

4. In a fireplace furnace, a firebox having two transparent enclosingsurfaces, a stack extension of said firebox, a unitary, skeletonframework entirely supporting said firebox and stack and joined theretoin unitary attachment, casing members mounted upon said framework andenclosing an air passage between said casing and said firebox andentirely surrounding the stack and an air inlet at the bottom and anoutlet for heated air at the top of said air passage.

5. In a fireplace furnace, a framework havin openings and pockets orreceptacles to receive panels forming a fireplace front, rear cornermembers 8,'side members 9 and I joining rear corner members: 1}- to thefront framework, front corner members I I joined to members 9 at a pointintermediate the ends thereof, all the aforesaid members being joined ina unitary framework, a firebox and stack extension thereof supported bysaid framework and casing members mounted upon said framework andproducing the effect and appearance of a fireplace.

6. In a fireplace furnace, a framework having openings and pockets orreceptacles to receive panels forming a fireplace front, a secondframework in opposed, spaced relation to the aforesaid framework, afirebox having two open sides and two closed sides entirely supportedupon both said frameworks and joined thereto in unitary relation, astack extension of said firebox, a casing surrounding said stack inspaced relation thereto to provide an air circulating passage casingmembers in spaced relation to the closed sides of said firebox andforming therewith an air passage joining with said air passage aroundsaid stack and an air inlet at the bottom and an outlet for heated airat the top of the combined passage.

7. In a fireplace furnace, a firebox having a stack extension, a casingstructure surroundin said stack in spaced relation thereto, an openingat the ,top of said casing for exit of heated air, a curved member 23,concave toward said opening and attached to said stack and, at each end,to said casing structure, the rear wall of said stack being curvedforwardly and extended to form with member 23 a streamlined guide forthe air.

FRANK D. HOWE.

